Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
-
J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · May 2011
Functional gastrointestinal disorders in inflammatory bowel disease: impact on quality of life and psychological status.
In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ongoing gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms consistent with coexistent functional GI disorders (FGID) might occur. It is uncertain what effect these symptoms have on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychological comorbidity. The aim of the present study was to identify interrelationships among IBD, symptoms consistent with FGID, HRQoL, and psychological comorbidity. ⋯ Symptoms consistent with FGID are highly prevalent in IBD and correlate with greater psychological comorbidity and poorer HRQoL in a "load-dependent" fashion. Therapy directed either at symptom load or psychological comorbidity might independently improve HRQoL in IBD.